Cruise Northern Europe

Set off to discover the treasures of the Celtic Sea. This 8-day cruise will take you into the heart of landscapes of wild and melancholic beauty: between lush green prairies, sheer cliffs, colourful little villages, moss and heaths, fall under the spell of these lands infused with mystery.

After a port of call in Dartmouth, a very elegant small English town situated on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, your ship will head for the Scilly Isles. On this strange little archipelago long sandy beaches stand alongside green fields, while ruins of old castles stand proud on hilltops.

Step ashore at Cobh, a maritime port in County Cork in south west Ireland, and take a trip to discover the picturesque village of Blarney - a village famous for its castle – and Kinsale - a charming little port sheltered within the Bandon Estuary.

L’Austral will take you to Liverpool then to the Isle of Man, located between the United Kingdom and Ireland. You will discover the capital Douglas, a postcard from United Kingdom of yesteryear with a Victorian atmosphere.

During your stopover in Belfast, you can visit the Giant's Causeway. This massive geological formation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features over 40,000 basalt columns.

L'AUSTRAL

In May 2011, l'Austral joined PONANT's fleet. This superb mega-yacht with 132 staterooms is the result of the expertise of the Italian Fincantieri shipyard and French sophistication, as interpreted by designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. L'Austral remains faithful to our philosophy - to create a unique atmosphere, a subtle blend of luxury, intimacy and well-being.

A sleek silhouette softened by elegantly smooth contours and large, arched windows opening up to the sea and the light: so many features come together to give L’Austral her distinctive shape. Precious materials, discreet elegance and a perfect balance between chic and casual, combine to make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht. A design blending tradition and innovation, where a nautical mood has been subtly recreated. A welcoming atmosphere of relaxed sophistication revolves around shades of grey, taupe, white and ivory enlivened by touches of cinnamon, caramel and tan.. So many personal touches create the spirit of a “private yacht.”

You will encounter unique itineraries, calls inaccessible to large ships, chic and elegant yacht-like ambiance, refined and personalized service as well as gastronomic cuisine.

Port of call & excursions

Honfleur

A treasure of the Côte Fleurie, Honfleur is located on the edge of la Crique de Rouen in Normandy. You will no doubt admire the historical ships moored in its old port. With its tall, slate-covered houses, the quays provide a great setting for a very nice walk. In the streets behind the harbour, you will see many timber houses. These picturesque places were the cradle of several pre-impressionist painters. You can see their works in the Eugène Boudin museum. Exhibited works represent scenes of medieval streets and the coastline as it used to be, as illustrated by the Butin beach and its lush green hillsides.

27 April 2020 – Dartmouth

Arrival 27/04/2020 midday. Departure 27/04/2020 early evening.

28 April 2020 – Isles of Scilly

Nestling in the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean, at the south west tip of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly form a small British island chain whose climate, landscapes and lifestyle are unlike any other and seem to have come straight from an Enid Blyton story. Here, everything resembles a tropical paradise. The long sandy beaches run alongside lush green meadows teeming with semi-exotic flowers, whilst the ruins of ancient castles loom from the tops of the hills. Veritable havens of peace that inspired the legendary Avalon of King Arthur, they are today listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the rugged coastline plays host to wildlife that is as varied as it is exceptional, including the very rare Atlantic grey seal.

29 April 2020 – Cork

This charming stopover on the southern coast of Ireland will certainly win you over with its pastel-shaded houses layered up the hillside. A little train avoids you from having to climb the steep streets of the historic centre. Once you’re there, you come to Saint Colman cathedral overlooking the coastline. The extensive panorama provides views of the little islands in Cork Harbour. Down below, the pubs complete with their floral window displays are enough to catch your eye. The pubs are famous for their traditional dishes like “colcannon” - a steaming hot soup made with cabbage served in a bowl, or a plate of boxties - crispy potato cakes with horse radish.

30 April 2020 – Liverpool

The fast-moving and appealing city of Liverpool sprawls along the banks of the River Mersey. This former bastion of industry in England's north-west has found its second wind, thanks especially to the highly successful redevelopment of its docks, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. The city, the Beatles' birthplace, has lots to offer to its visitors. While a walk down the Waterfront from Pier Head to Albert Dock is a major highlight youﾒll also love the quality of ﾠmuseums such as the Walker Art Gallery and the wealth of architecture in the city. But what will really impress you is the playful and open-minded spirit of its inhabitants, which John Lennon referred to as "positive energy".

1 May 2020 – Douglas

Douglas ﾠis the capital of the Isle of Man, a self-governing island in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. The Isle of Man is best-known for its gruelling annual TT motorbike race but Douglas itself is a charming traditional seaside resort. Take a stroll or horse tram along the busy promenade and visit the Manx Museum, which retraces the island's fascinating Celtic and Viking heritage. You can take a steam train into the mountainous interior, where you'll see medieval castles and pretty villages and farms.

2 May 2020 – Belfast, Northern Ireland

The capital city of Northern Ireland is located on the very tip of Belfast Lough, in the north-east of the Emerald Isle. Along the waterfront, the building shaped like a fragmented liner is non other than the Titanic Belfast, a homage to the famous transatlantic liner, with full-scale reconstructions making for an insightful experience of the Belle Epoque. In the historical centre, you’ll also travel back in time when you see the majestic Edwardian columns of the City Hall, and the imposing neo-gothic towers of Queen’s University for example. The carved wooden façades of the Victorian pubs will certainly entice you in for a pint of beer or chilled cider.

Dublin

Disembarkation 03/05/2020 at 00H00 .

The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.

Formalities

The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.

Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, PONANT will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.

Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.